2013 Ford F-350 Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2013 Ford F-350 most often describe a violent front-end shake that starts after hitting a bump at highway speed, usually called the "death wobble" in complaints; these accounts appear from low mileage up to well past 150,000 miles. A smaller group of complaints concerns the 6.7L diesel's emissions and fuel system, including check-engine warnings, limp mode, and in a few cases fuel leaks that led to engine-compartment fires.

1. 1
   Steering

   Violent front-end shake ("death wobble") at highway speed

   • 40 complaints (53%)
   • median 107,500 mi at 7.0 yrs old (19 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2026

   Complaints describe the steering wheel and front end shaking violently after the truck crosses a bump, bridge joint, or rough pavement, usually between 50 and 75 mph. Owners say they have to brake hard or slow to a near stop before the shaking stops, and several report the truck pulling toward a lane line or oncoming traffic during the event. Some had steering stabilizers, track bars, ball joints, or bushings replaced, and several say the problem returned afterward; others say a dealer could not identify a failed part. Reported from about 24,000 miles up to 171,000 miles, most often on highway-speed bumps and expansion joints.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the front-end components (track bar, ball joints, steering stabilizer, bushings) have been inspected or replaced, and request the service history. A test drive on a rough road at highway speed may reproduce the shake.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Several different times while driving on the highway at highway speeds ranging from 55 to 65 MPH I have hit a small bump or uneven pavement which has caused my truck to go into an uncontrollable death wobble. It shakes so violently that I almost lose control and have to slow to almost a stop before it quits.”

   NHTSA complaint #11297405, filed 2020-01, 62,500 miles

   “While driving in excess of 55 MPH on all road surfaces the front end will randomly go into a violent front end wobble. The vehicle shakes violently as to throw heavy items from the door pockets and prevent steering the vehicle. We have replaced a suspected steering components with no remedy. We understand that a similar issue with this vehicle occurred in a later model truck and has been recalled. Our mechanic has nicknamed this wobble a death wobble.”

   NHTSA complaint #11376201, filed 2020-11, 120,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Diesel emissions system faults and limp mode

   • 12 complaints (16%)
   • median 83,147 mi at 6.0 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2015–2025

   Complaints describe a check-engine light followed by a dealer diagnosis of a failed EGR cooler, DEF system, catalytic converter, or exhaust sensor, sometimes with the truck dropping into a reduced-power mode. Several owners say the repair was made and the fault came back later, and some note the vehicle was not covered by a recall for the condition. A few report rough running or heavy shaking during the exhaust regeneration process and, in one case, a fire in the diesel particulate filter area. Mostly reported between about 42,000 and 96,000 miles, often during highway driving or while towing.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for the emissions-related service history, including any EGR cooler, DEF, or sensor replacements, and whether related bulletins were applied. A scan for stored codes before purchase can be worthwhile.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 2013 6.7 diesel. It goes through the exhaust filter cleaning about every 200 miles. After this process starts the engine runs extremely rough, like it's ready to drop out. There is also a very loud knocking noise and violent shaking while I drive. Yes, it's more than just the typical diesel clatter.”

   NHTSA complaint #10861015, filed 2016-04, 29,500 miles

   “While towing our fifth-wheel trailer with our Ford f350 drw truck, the diesel particulate filter (DPF) caught fire. While towing our fifth-wheel, we turned from the highway onto a city street in mesa, az. We heard a loud pop and thought we blew a tire. After pulling over and checking that all tires were fine, we continued on. We noticed reduced power to the truck and the turbo boost was zero. We pulled over again to look for signs of a problem. We looked under the hood and did not see any obvious hoses blown or issues. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11128357, filed 2018-09, 85,500 miles
3. 3
   Fuel system

   High-pressure fuel pump failure with metal debris

   • 5 complaints (7%)
   • median 7,700 mi at 2.8 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2014–2020

   Complaints describe the engine quitting without warning, or failing to restart, and a dealer diagnosis of a failed high-pressure fuel pump with metal shavings in the fuel system. Owners say fuel filters were changed on schedule and no water-in-fuel warning appeared, and one reports the repair was declined as a contaminated-fuel claim. Another notes an ignition switch that kept the starter engaged until the key was turned off. Reported between roughly 3,000 and 65,000 miles, sometimes during low-speed driving or shortly after start-up.

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel pump or injectors have been replaced and whether any fuel-system debris was found. Confirm fuel filter service records and look for water-in-fuel warnings or codes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My wife was driving from a doctor's appointment when the truck just died. She pulled to the side then she called me. The truck cranked but wouldn't start so it was towed to healey /Ford lincoln in goshen, n.y.. After a week or so they call me gave some codes r/refuel system, they said they neede my approval to diagnose it but I declined because just for that was going to cost me 300. To 500.dollars so I towed the car to bedrock auto matbrook ny”

   NHTSA complaint #11298063, filed 2020-01, 1 miles

   “I was driving in my neighborhood at about 25 MPH and the engine quit, and would not restart!! Also the ignition switch would allow the starter to stay engaged!! Had to turn the key off for the starter to stop!! The truck had to be towed to the dealer and it has beet there for over a week and they called yesterday and told me there were metal shavings in the fuel pump and I do not know if the metal shavings got into the oil system to ruin the engine!!”

   NHTSA complaint #10622326, filed 2014-08, 12,400 miles

Buying note. A thorough front-end inspection and a highway test drive over rough pavement are the most useful steps, given how many complaints describe the steering shake. On diesel trucks, also review emissions and fuel-system service records and check for stored codes and fuel smells.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.